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Book o^ ,<'.v t ^ ( I ' 



5" 



PRESENTi:n BY 




110?^ 



WILLIAM T. MARSHALL 



€f)DU0f)t^ of J^eaben 



C|)ougi)ts oi Heaben 



BY 

S. MABEL COHEN 




JJrinteti for tl)t ^utl^or 

BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY 

PHILADELPHIA 
1902 






\ \ 






Content^ 

.J PAGE 

^ Aspiration „ 

" Dawn _ 

The Upward Current ,o 

The Chime jj 

Heavenward ■ j2^ 

A Postlude J . 

My Prayer i - 

Satan's Lament i5 

The Flowers' Way jg 

The Balance jq 

A Guest 2j 

Anchored ^. 

A Little While '....*.'. 24 

At the Foot of the Cross 26 

A Voice 



27 
28 



Truth . 

A Picture 29 

Thou Hast Died for Me 3a 



My Lord , 

Thou Hast Die( 

Christmas Bells -, 

The Valley ' ^^ 

5 



Contents 

PAGE 

God's Voice 36 

Seek Not the Living Among the Dead 37 

HeU 39 

A Red Rose 40 

Harmony 42 

The Rainbow 43 

A Child's Dream of the Cross 44 

The Street Which is Called Straight 46 

In My Father's House 47 

The Dead March 48 

Dark and Light are Both Alike to Thee 49 

Father, Forgive Them 50 

Home 51 

The King 52 

The Bird's Call 53 

The Banner 55 

A Garden 56 

Jesus Reigns 58 

Thou Art Peter 60 

A Stranger Will They Not Follow 6 1 

Face to Face 63 



^spiratioa 

In the wailing of the wind and the sobbing of the 

sea 
Is the cry of all the ages movdng on eternally. 

In the weeping of a heart and the sighing of a soul 
Breathes the life that struggles upward, upward 
unto God, its goal. 

Comes the storm that sweeps the land, comes the 

blow that ends the life. 
Comes the death of aspiration, and the end of 

heavenly strife. 

When the wailing of the wind, and the sobbing of 

the sea. 
Reach the good God far above us, and He looks 

down lovingly ; 

7 



Thoughts of Heaven 

When the storm cloud passes heavenward, and the 

sighing ends in love ; 
When God speaks in sweetest accents heavenly 

comfort from above. 

Comes divine and noble striving, comes the life that 

ends the death ; 
Comes all sweetness and all beauty, comes the 

fragrance of God's breath. 






Thoughts of Heaven 



^aton 

The sea's low level just before the dawn, — 
A solitary bird in search of rest, — 

A wounded life kneeling in adoration 
To Him who doeth all things best. 

Each wave seeking to reach its highest hmit. 
As light beams forth in glorious day, — 

The bird at peace beside its long-sought Master, 
The life complete in yearning to obey. 



Thoughts of Heaven 



^be ^aptoarU Current 

Ebb and flow, ebb and flow. 

Tossed in the current of time we go ; 

Swept resistlessly on and on. 

As each morning comes and the night is gone. 

Past the pleasures of earth and sense. 
Under the heavens' blue expanse. 
On and on through infinite space. 
Swept in the current of heavenly grace. 

Ebb and flow, ebb and flow. 
Beautiful souls sent here below. 
To speak of our Master's love divine 
And render to Him our lives again. 

Ebb and flow, ebb and flow. 

Our souls must rise as they onward go. 

Till in the depths of God's infinite love 

We sweep through earth to His throne above. 

lO 



Thoughts of Heaven 



Bells are ringing 
Soft and low. 
Earth to heaven, heaven to earth. 
Where the two extremes do meet. 
Here before my Saviour's feet. 

Bells are ringing 
Loud and sweet. 
Oh, the touch that makes them peal. 
Singing ever in my soul, 
** Jesus Christ, my life, my all." 

Bells are ringing 
High in heaven. 
Lily bells, sweet thoughts of God, — 
Where the two extremes do meet. 
There before His mercy-seat. 
II 



Thoughts of Heaven 



|)eat)entDarti 

There's a time to laugh, and a time to weep. 

And a time that has no end ; 
There's a summer day, and a winter day. 

And a heaven where all things blend. 
There's a word that saves, and a word that kills. 

And a word that is no word at all ; 
But the soul looks up at the sound of love. 

And responds to every call. 
There's a song that is sweet, and a song that is sad. 

And a song that no one hears ; 
For the sweetest song that goes up to God 

Is sung from a heart in tears. 
There's a life that is false, and a life that is true ; 

There's a Master who reads the soul ; 
The perfect life is the star that guides. 

And the spirit alone makes whole. 



Thoughts of Heaven 

The time and the word, the song and the life. 
Thou holdest, my God, in Thy heart. 

The touch of Thy hand on sea and land 
Leads heavenward where Thou art. 



(^ 



13 



Thoughts of Heaven 



^ PostlttUe 

God. is smiling o'er the earth. 

And the days grow strangely sweet. 

Oh, my soul, lift up thy voice. 
Blessing Him while at His feet. 

Trees are budding, birds are singing. 
And thv cup of joy o'rfloweth ; 

God is waiting, God is calling. 

Speak thy prayer to Him who knoweth. 



14 



Thoughts of Heaven 



Mv Praper 

My Saviour, at Thy feet I kneel. 

In perfect adoration ; 

Forgiveness I implore. 

Oh, let me in the future sin no more. 

My Master, by Thy side I stand. 

Waiting to hear Thy voice ; 

To w^ork for Thee, I pray. 

Oh, draw^ me closer, closer each day. 

My God, upon Thy heart I rest 

In ecstasy divine. 

Up to my home above, 

Oh, call us quickly to enjoy Thy love. 



15 



Thoughts of Heaven 



^atan'fi lament 

I revel in pestilence, war, and death ; 

My sceptre sways from sea to sea ; 
I glory in crime — for the souls that are mine — 
The tender and 'true dragged down by my wiles ; 

The sordid and vile, with triumph and glee. 
Leading on in the march to hell. 

And I shout and I sing at the world's discord. 

For do I not lead the rebel horde ? 

But I'm sad, in spite of my glory. Ah, me ! 

For a heart that I broke that believed in me 
At the turning time, when she should have beei 

mine. 
Grew sweeter and truer, repulsed by my wiles ; 

And the Hfe that I crushed in my mirth and gle 
Gives out sweetness instead of death. 

So I shout and I rave in my mad desire 

To conquer that heart in my burning fire. 
i6 



Thoughts of Heaven 

Consumed in my wrath, I hear her song : 
<* Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own !" 
And my heart is heavy, my work undone. 
For her very sweetness proves her God's own, 
And my life a He. 



* 



17 



Thoughts of Heaven 



The sunflower turns as the hours pass 

To take from her God a good-night kiss. 

The daisy and buttercup, there by the wall. 

Happily nod and merrily call 

As they sway to and fro in the breeze. 

While ofF in a shady nook, guarded by trees. 

The lily in silence sighs and breathes 

Out her fragrant hfe, lifting her cup 

Sweetly, praying, adoring, waiting 

To drink of His life while her God from above 

Gives her heaven and love. 

Listen, and hear them together say, 
<* Oh, gather our fragrance day by day. 
Knowing it is the flowers' own way 
Of expressing God." 



Thoughts of Heaven 



Cl)e -^Balance 

The rich man left his mansion fine 

To walk to the club and wine and dine. 

By his side there chanced to walk for a space 

A laboring man with a grimy face ; 

And the Devil walked between. 

Superbly dressed, with haughty mien 
He hurried past that he might not be seen 
Near the patched clothes and the shuffling gait 
Of the man who labored early and late ; 
But the Devil followed unseen. 

A man of leisure and wealth and fame. 

You would weep in sorrow and blush for shame 

Could you look down deep in the workingman's 

heart 
At his anguish and struggles to play his part ; 
But the Devil is always between. 
19 



Thoughts of Heaven 

The grimy face and the shuffling gait 
Screen a soul that must labor early and late. 
For what ? O God, that it must be so ! 
For a paltry living here below ; 
And the Devil arranging his fate. 

Oh, man, the soul is a spark of God's life ; 
Reach out your hand through the battle and strife 
Help him up, — the man with the grimy face, — 
Speak kindly, and find in the Devil's place 
That Christ will walk between. 






Thoupfhts of Heaven 



^ (3ut6t 

There's an unbidden guest at every feast. 

Have you seen his face ? Can you guess his 

name ? 
Sometimes, when the day is clear and bright. 
He decides to walk abroad in the light. 
So he dons a frockcoat and a high silk hat. 
And goes for a while to have a chat 
With the sweet young girls, who trustingly hear 
His words of poison and hold them dear. 
When he leaves the room there is a change in the 

light ; 
An evil thing threatens like darkest night. 
Open windows and doors to the pure air of heaven. 
That even the thought of his words may be driven 
To their home in his heart, which is hell. 

21 



Thoughts of Heaven 



There's an unseen Guest at every feast. 

Have you heard His voice r Do you know His 

name r 
In the darkest day, in a blaze of light. 
His Spirit comes to guide aright ; 
And we see, if we look on His patient face. 
And our voices are hushed by the Master's grace. 
As he silently moves in the crowded room 
His words ring out, and His life is shown 
As the air of heaven breathes softly through. 
All evil flees, and we gain a new 
Of the blue above and the angels there ; 
In silence we pause to murmur a prayer, 
Which ascends to God and to heaven. 



IS 



Thoughts of Heaven 



A leaden sky and a shrieking wind, 

Swe sping the land and sea ; 
A ship struggling on through the blinding storm 

To reach the far country. 

Oh, lonely ship, veer not from your course. 
For the Lord of earth and heaven. 

He rules alike the wind and the wave. 
And to Him all power is given. 

Darkness and light are to Him alike. 

For beyond the raging sea 
Are the waters still, and the beautiful light ; 

Sail on, then, and be free. 
^ ^ :)ii ^ ^ -^ 

The glorious sun, and the breath of heaven. 

The ship anchored, safe at last. 
In its haven of love, on the Saviour's breast — 

A soul up to God has passed. 
23 



Thoughts of Heaven 



^ little WUlt 

In the new year that has come. 
Have you thought that unto you 
God may give the heavenly summons 
That shall call you to your home ? 

As a soldier, good and true. 
You may hear the trumpet-call 
To the last immortal conflict. 
With the gate of heaven in view. 

And the armor you have worn — 
All your Master's — here on earth 
You may give to Him so gladly 
When the barriers are down. 

You may hear His words, ** Well done. 
As the clouds shall roll away. 
And, with victory in your soul, 
God's own spirit leads you home. 
24 



Thoughts of Heaven 

Evermore in His embrace. 
In the garden of the King, 
You may grow to be like Him, 
Resting in His heavenly peace. 






25 



Thoughts of Heaven 



9lt tbe foot of tl)c Cro66 

See ! Judith, the death of the King, Him they call 

King of the Jews ? 
Dost mark the patient meekness of that brow ? 
Would' St thou believe that in the turning of that 

noble head, showing a broken heart. 
Life and heaven are given to sinful man ? 
Some there be who say that He will rise again. 
Well do I know His head will yet be lifted up, that 

all may see the glory of the Lord, 
And walk erect with God. 

Come, let us go ; the morning dawns ; 

The strange, sweet fragrance of those pure white 

lilies fills the air — 
The very beauty of His life ! 



26 



Thoughts of Heaven 



A voice from the vast unknown, 
A lightning flash from the sky. 
Back of the sun, and moon, and stars. 
Heaven's great throne of blue. 
Warmest throb of human heart. 
Love v\^orking through and through — 
Very God ! 



27 



Thoughts of Heaven 



The sea, O God, lashing itself in fury at its impo- 
tence. 

Falls back upon itself, and hides within its bosom 

The treasures Thou hast placed there. 

But we, the pledges of Thy highest love, look up 
to see Thy glorious face. 

And, straining every nerve, we lift our souls to 
touch Thine own. 

Opening thus the gate that leads to the beyond we 
roam at will 

Until we reach Thy very throne, and at Thy feet 

Kneel to adore. 

Knowing as we are known, seeing as we are seen, 
we echo back Thy love. 

And, lo ! upon our foreheads gleams the precious 
gem of truth. 



28 



Thoughts of Heaven 



a picture 

A summer day, a dusty road, and by its side a 
river calm and deep. 

Both leading to the sea, with but a tangled mass of 
trees and grass between. 

Two lives, side by side, one bearing the burden 
and the heat of day, 

The other running smoothly on the surface, with 
an undercurrent of heartbreak ; 

Only a mass of human complications for the boun- 
dary line. 

Over all the same blue sky, and at the end the sea. 

Some call it Fate. 

Shall we say God and heaven the journey's end ? 

Ah ! God and heaven are the journey's end. 
But not in the fickle sea ; 
Swept on by the tide we come at last 
29 



Thoughts of Heaven 

To the Rock of Ages cleft for us. 
Where our souls unite in the Infinite, 
And the love which touched us into life 
Is awaiting the Perfect Day. 



i^ 



30 



Thoughts of Heaven 



Jesus, ever meek and lowly. 

Stoop to hear my cry. 
In Thine arms do Thou enfold me. 
From the world Oh, guard. Oh, hide me 
Grant me love, and peace, and mercy. 

As Thou passest by. 

Higher, higher up the billows. 

Sweeping o'er my soul. 
Things of earth I grasp to hold me. 
But they break and fail to save me. 
Walk upon the waves, my Saviour ; 

Come and make me whole. 

Teach me patience, give me wisdom, 

Jesus Christ, my Lord. 
King of heaven and earth, I praise Thee ; 
Speak to me that I may know Thee, 
For my soul is hushed in rapture. 

Speak to me Thy word. 
31 



Thoughts of Heaven 



CNtt t)afi!t DieU for ^He 

Through all the ages moves the heavenly chou- ; 
Voice after voice mounts higher yet and higher. 
Till all the music of the world is sung 
In one grand melody before Thy throne. 

Kneeling before Thee, Saviour, hear my cry ! 
** Worthy the Lamb," the heavens give reply ; 
And earth with all its wondrous melodies 
Joins in the glorious hymn of love and praise. 

Through all the ages come the little ones. 
Seeking the truth, the truth in Jesus' name. 
Until the Christ-child, pure and free from sin. 
Hushes all earth in giving the Amen. 



32 



Thoughts of Heaven 



The Christmas bells are ringing — 

Hear them peal ! 
Joy of heaven to earth come down 
To bear the Cross and win the Crown. 
Love through anguish will reveal 

Love's perfect song. 

The Babe who came so meek and lowly. 

Long ago. 
Is with us now, is with us now. 
No crown of gold adorns his brow. 

But thorns the Master's sufferings show ; 

Before him bow. 

The churches' bells are ringing. 
Hear them peal ! 
33 



Thoughts of Heaven 

Kill not the Christ, their sweet tones plead ; 
With precious gifts for every need. 
His love stands waiting to reveal 
The path to tread. 

The bells of heaven are ringing — 

Hear them ring ! 
Away with falsehood, sin, and shame ; 
Around the world their song proclaim. 
Jesus has come ! Oh, sing. Oh, sing. 

His blessed name. 

Forever loud and louder 

Let them ring. 
Let all their notes be merged in one. 
It is love, it is love, the keynote alone. 
And Christ the Babe is Christ the King, 

God's royal Son. 



34 



Thouefhts of Heaven 



Some call it Death, — the Valley of the Shadow, — 
Not knowing that it is God's own perfect way 

Of hushing our souls to rest for a time. 

So that with His coming, on that glorious day. 

Made pure and perfect by the waiting. 

Heaven to us may be a flood of light and love 
divine. 



35 



Thoughts of Heaven 



My little one, while pressed against my heart. 
Looked out upon the storm that raged without. 
And seeing all the trees bent low with ice, swaying 

in the wind. 
Looked up into my face, and whispered : 
*« Mother, see ! Angel hands are beckoning, and 

God is saying, 
'Be not afraid.' " 
Pressed closer yet, my little child had hushed the 

tumult 
That raged within my breast. 
The precious gem, the pearl of truth, God's love 

was beckoning ; 
God spoke and gave me rest. 



36 



Thoughts of Heaven 



Christ is risen ; ye seek in vain. 
Heaven and earth His life proclaim. 
Evil is banished w^ith winter's gloom. 
And error lies dead within the tomb. 

Seek not the living among the dead, — 
Your Lord has risen as He has said. 
Onw^ard and upvi^ard He walks with you. 
Though you know Him not in your life below. 

Sorrow and anguish have passed away ; 

Christ has risen to reign for aye. 

In the tide of His passion your souls arise 

On the wings of love to your home in the skies. 

From the heart of God, the beginning of thought. 
The seed of the Word has been struggling for light. 
The sun looks down this glorious day 
On the perfect flower of purity. 
37 



Thoughts of Heaven 

Forever at God's right hand on high. 
Emblem of love that can never die, 
Christ sits enthroned in the City of Light, 
To love forever and guide aright. 






38 



Thoughts of Heaven 



Blackness so great that even the knowledge of light 

is not ; 
Despair so deep that even the soul is drowned ; 
Agony where all the world is weeping ; 
The very depths in which all good lies sleeping, — 
And God is found. 



39 



Thoughts of Heaven 



91 EeU Kofiic 

Oh, the rich perfume of the red, red rose ! 
As its leaves unfold, at its heart there shows 
The home of the bee, where it gathers its store 
Of honey so sweet to increase its power. 

But the devil is fond of the red, red rose. 
He enticed one day a young girl to disclose 
Her inmost heart by its perfume sweet. 
Till her life lay bare at his merciless feet. 

He robbed her of innocence, faith, and hope ; 
He stole her virtue, and then he spoke 
Of a life of freedom, of freedom ! Oh, man ! 
Think of this devil's work, if you can ! 

On her head he placed of the red, red rose 
A wreath, that he who sees it now knows 
In the devil's garden — this girl is walled. 
His hand has led her, his voice has called. 
40 



Thoughts of Heaven 

She is known by the sign of the red, red rose. 
Men know her impure ; they laugh as she goes. 
And the master-hand that enticed her on 
Will steal her thoughts and throw her down. 

The hand that planted the red, red rose. 
To scatter its leaves, he knows, he knows 
Of the double life he would have her .lead. 
Where lust is rampant, the soul is dead. 

He knows of the others whose perfume he drank. 
Of the lives he has blasted, the garden rank 
Where he plants the rose when, her mission past, 
A garland of roses adorns his breast. 



^ 



41 



Thoughts of Heaven 



|)armoni) 

A mist from life's great sea, 

A fire from eternity's soul, 
A new world as years go by, 

To join with the planets that roll. 

A thought from great Nature's heart, 

A breath from a perfect soul — 
Created a beautiful part 

In the system that makes the whole. 

A soul singing low a sad dirge, 

A bird singing sweetly on high. 
When in one, note for note, the songs merge, 

A symphony reaching the sky. 

In harmony earth joined to heaven. 
Thought and song lifted ever above — 

Veil of mist from our earthly eyes driven, 
A new life in the arch of God's love. 
42 



Thoughts of Heaven 



C^e EaintjotD 

Oh, beautiful rainbow, arched in high heaven ! 
Could we but follow thy circle complete, 
Down in the depths below. 

We should know God, 

We should see love 

Throbbing within Thee ; 

Know all life's mystery. 

And in the blending 

Of colors complete 

Read all life's history. 
Each color a mile-stone that must be passed 
On the road that leads to heaven at last, — 
Our home in the beautiful blue above. 
Resting with God in perfect love. 
After the storms of life are passed. 
After the border-line is crossed. 
We pass to the beautiful Beyond, 
And our souls as perfect stars are found. 
43 



Thoughts of Heaven 



^ CI)tlti*fi5 ^ream of tl)e Cross 

A child who loved her father passionately, and 
longed ever to help him, grieved to see him carry- 
ing a burden upon his heart which seemed to grow 
heavier from day to day. Her last thought of 
night was of him and of the load she could not lift 
from his hfe. As time passed, because the child 
was not strong, her grieving made her ill. 

One beautiful night she fell asleep and dreamed 
that she was a star, and that she could speak heav- 
enly words of comfort to her father. ''Father," 
she cried, ** I have come from God to lift the cross 
from your life. It is not the upright beam that 
weighs you down ; it is the bar of sin. In your 
soul's purity Satan has placed a dark spot. God 
has told me that by anguish alone can the mirror 
of your life reflect a perfect image. Ever I have 
longed to help you, grieving in my passionate love. ' ' 
44 



Thoughts of Heaven 

At dawn they found the child still asleep — asleep 
in Jesus. And the cross was lifted from the father's 
heart by the star. The child had crossed the 
bar. 



45 



Thoughts of Heaven 



Street W\)it\) i& CalleU ^traig:l)t 

Out of the darkness to the light it leads. 

And all who look for a Beyond, 

Like Paul of Tarsus, weakened by their strife with 

sin. 
Must make it their abode ; 
Forgetting all the blank wall that has been 
Of sin, despair, and doubt. 
Yielding body, mind, and soul to Him 
Whose voice, speaking to them of greater glory. 
Bids them leave all to follow Him. 
Led by His hand along the straight and narrow 

path which leads to heaven, 
Through anguish, doubt, and woe unspeakable they 

come at last 
Into the blessed freedom God has given. 
Leaving the dead self in the past. 



46 



Thoughts of Heaven 



STn Piv fatfjer's pome 

O Jesus, Thou hast promised 

That, if I follow Thee, 
Within the Father's courts above 

My dwelling-place shall be. 

Among the many mansions. 
At God's right hand on high, 

A heavenly place Thou hast prepared 
In answer to my cry. 

O Saviour, there my refuge, 
A house not made with hands. 

Forever founded on a rock. 
Not built upon the sands. 

The sands of time are passing. 
But my Hfe is hid with Thee, 

And Thou, O blessed Jesus, 
Wilt come and call for me. 
47 



Thoughts of Heaven 



[Written at the death of President McKinley] 

** Not death, but life — life that shall endless be." 
This the refrain that heaven's high arches give. 
Not to keep pace \vith death, through strife and 

tumult-murmurings of hell. 
But with unfaltering faith, moved by the Power 

that makes for Righteousness, 
Let Love rule everywhere. 
So shall it be that as the Dead March sounds in 

honor of the nation's loss 
The clear call from heaven shall come to you and 

me. 



48 



Thoughts of Heaven 



^arfe anU ki^ht are ^ot\) 9lUfee to Cl)ee 

Straight the line dividing good from bad. 
Across the path thou may'st not step and live. 
When truth within thy heart forever dw^ells. 
And conscience rules as guide to God above. 
Then inward Hfe and outward both shall prove 
That God is Heaven, Life, and Love. 
Knowing that thou forevermore art free. 
Then shalt thou sing in perfect harmony, 
** The dark and light are both alike to thee." 



49 



Thoughts of Heaven 



** Father, forgive them, for they know not what 
they do," 

Comes from the cross through all the ages long. 

*' Forgive them for the Christ that they have killed. 

Even as is this thief here crucified with Me, peni- 
tent in death. 

Do Thou look down with pitying eye 

And bid them live. 

Thus shall they know the right divine 

Of this. Thine only Son, 

To reign supreme in life, in death. 

By Love alone." 



50 



Thoughts of Heaven 



Jo me 

All the world is ours, God's gift. 

As is our aim, or high, or low. 

Therein for us salvation is, or death. 

The mystery of evil everywhere, 

Satan's forces lined in fierce array. 

Shouting their hideous discord in our ears. 

Are but the framework of our inner lives. 

With holy purpose let us seek the centre of all 

being. 
And, as did beloved John, 

See heaven by close communion with our Lord, 
Resting in perfect peace, relying on His word. 
Into our souls, oh, let us turn the searchlight of His 

love. 
Exposing there each motive and intent. 
Choosing for the sole purpose of our lives 
God and goodness and the home above. 



51 



Thoughts of Heaven 



King of Goodness, reign forever ; 

Thine an everlasting sw^ay. 
May our lives reflect Thy brightness. 

In our hearts abide alw^ay. 

King of Love, we crown Thee, crown Thee. 

Hearts and lives are Thine alone. 
Gold and jewels rare we bring Thee, 

Kneeling here before Thy throne. 

Hearts so pure and lives so lowly 

Are the jewels for Thy crown ; 
Gold without alloy we bring Thee — 

Truth and righteousness Thine own. 

King of Love, we crown Thee, crown Thee. 

Heaven and earth before Thee sing ; 
Lord of Life, we praise Thee, praise Thee, 

Christ our Master, Lord and King. 
52 



Thoughts of Heaven 



QLht ^ixr& Call 

There's a dear little bird perched high in the tree. 
She is singing to you, she is singing to me. 
Though she feels the branch sway, yet she knows 

that her nest 
Is fastened securely, and from her sweet breast 
Comes this song : 
Oh, be glad ! Oh, rejoice ! 
Life is sweet, life is good. 
Do not linger a day, for love points the way. 
Spread your wings, soar on high 
In the beautiful sky. 
Let the pure air of heaven thrill your heart, tune 

your voice. 
Oh, be glad ! Oh, rejoice ! 
Have no fear, God is nigh. 
He will guard you, and guide you. 
And watch o'er your home. 
53 



Thoughts of Heaven 

Lift your heart and your voice. 
Oh, be glad ! Oh, rejoice ! 
Life's morning is sweet. 
Come, oh, come ! 



91^ 



54 



Thoughts of Heaven 



Cl)e banner 

Free, yet bound by chains of sweetest love, — 

A slave, yet evermore enthroned ; 
Bound forever to the King of Kings, 

Domain extending all the world around. 
Oh, union blest ! Oh, fellowship divine ! 

Lift high the standard royal, let it wave. 
That in its folds all nature may be mine. 

The Lord of Life leads on, leads on to save. 
The stars, the jewels in His crown of gold ; 

The stripes. His agony for me endured ; 
Joy and sorrow in His precious life displayed. 

The royal password — ^Jesus Christ, my Lord. 



55 



Thoughts of Heaven 



9t (!5artiea 

In a garden far away — a fairy garden — grew a 
beautiful rose, the queen of the flowers. Many 
were the loving glances bestowed upon it by its sister 
companions as it opened its leaves to the sunlight. 
AU the rich perfiime that it exhaled came from its 
heart in joyous thankfulness to God for its life. So 
it grew more and more beautiful, accepting the 
homage of the humbler flowers in its own sweet 
way. But one day a great sigh came from a corner 
of the garden. One of the flowers had grown 
discontented with its lot, and this is what it said : 

*' Oh, if I could only be as beautiful as the 
queen !" 

Now, when the queen heard this, because she 
was a perfect, true-hearted queen, she wanted to 
make even this humble little flower happy ; so she 
bent her noble head to the ground and became a 
daisy, white, with a heart -ji gold, courageous and 
56 



Thoughts of Heaven 

true. In the very early morning, when all the 
flowers were taking their bath of dew, the gardener 
walked in his garden and found the passion-flower 
weeping because the queen had passed away. 

With a touch of wondrous love he lifted the 
daisy to his heart, and, behold ! it became a golden 



(^ 



57 



Thoughts of Heaven 



Jesus reigns ; Oh, Earth, receive Him ; 

Reigns forever. King of Love. 
Hear His voice, believe, beheve Him, 

For He speaks from heaven above. 

Love and joy and peace all blending. 

Spirit fruits are His alone. 
Garlands sweet the children bring Him, 

Little ones around His throne. 

Jesus reigns ; He rules the nations. 

King of Purity and Love. 
Whosoe'er attempts to harm Him 

God wall punish from above. 

Jesus reigns ; all nature proves Him 
King of Nature's realm below ; 

Winds and waves obey His bidding 
In their ceaseless ebb and flow. 
58 



Thoughts of Heaven 

Lift your hearts and tune your voices. 

For you must obey His will. 
On He leads through grief and sorrow. 

Jesus reigns triumphant still. 



}$m 



59 



Thoughts of Heaven 



Cl)Ott art peter 

Upon Thy word, O God, revealed to man. 
Thy holy church is built. 
Not the church as men have made it. 
Not the truth as they receive it. 
But the truth as 'tis in Jesus 
Reigning here on earth among us, — 
Jesus Christ, the perfect Saviour, 
Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

Upon Thy world, O God, as given to man. 
Soon may Thy kingdom come. 
All the falsehood, error, crime 
Wrought by man throughout all time 
Prove the truth as 'tis in Jesus. 
Light doth triumph over darkness. 
Love and Truth the consummation, 
Jesus Christ, the Word. 
60 



Thoughts of Heaven 



a i>traiipr Will d)ep Bot f olloto 

On a sunny summer day. 
In a quiet village church. 

Years ago. 
Passed a flock of sheep that way ; 
And the leader stopped and spied 
(For the doors were opened wide) 
Graveyard on the other side. 
Grass so green this leader spied. 
And, with longing for his flock. 
Straightway through the church he hied. 

On that sunny summer day 

In the graveyard grazed the sheep. 

Years ago. 
(This I heard my mother say.) 
Comes to me to-day the thought 
How in mercy God has brought 
6i 



Thoughts of Heaven 

Wandering sheep, by shepherd sought. 
Through the church by Christ's blood bought. 
Into hving pastures green. 
Out of tumuk, strife, and doubt. 

On that sunny summer day 
('Twas my father's village church). 

Years ago. 
As the flock passed slowly by. 
Came the words, as mother said, 
** A table for me Thou'st prepared." 
Heavenly Father, Thou hast led 
Into life from out the dead. 
Through the church Thy wandering sheep. 
On the Shepherd's shoulder laid. 



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62 



Thoughts of Heaven 



jFace t0 Jace 

Father all merciful. Ruler of nations. 
Thou to whom all things forever are known. 
Lift Thou the cross from the lives of Thy people 
That through truth and justice Thy way may be 
known. 

Tread down the oppressor, give victory to goodness. 
Let purity triumph where lust has held sway. 
Bruise the head of the serpent that leads on to ruin. 
Turn the base to pure metal, the darkness to day. 

Turn the tide of the nations. Thou Mighty De- 
liverer ; 

Oh, give blessed freedom, the freedom from sin ; 

Prove the truth that Thy righteousness rules over 
all things. 

That thy way may be known where corruption has 
been. 

63 



Thoughts of Heaven 

May the law, law of God, law of life everlasting. 
Lead the world, crush the wrong, lift on high noble 

hves ; 
May the sordid and mean, wrapped in robes of the 

darkness. 
Be exposed now to man, as to Thee they have 

been. 

Rule the laws of the nations, most merciful Father, 
That riot and bloodshed forever may cease ; 
Tread down the oppressor, release us, we pray 

Thee, 
That God and His glory may bring heaven* s 

peace. 



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64 



